The Cats trailed by a point going into the game's dying moments and TJ Reid saved the match for Kilkenny with a last-gasp equalising point, which forces the tie to a replay next weekend.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Cody said: “With injury time and time running out, we got a break and got the breaking ball, and TJ [Reid] put it over the bar, so it’s in the melting pot again and we have to come up again next Saturday and start all over again.

“First half playing against a bit of a storm we were decent you know. We had done a lot of hard work and went in at half-time level.

“The second half they took over the game really, and dominated. And even though we got the goal we didn’t drive it on. The momentum was with them after that.”

When asked whether his side look jaded and off the pace physically, Cody countered that his side were fit, but that they were outhurled by Dublin.

He said: “They’re not tired, they’re in great shape. They always have been that - you know. It’s not a question of that. But I don’t mind being asked that question in the slightest.

“It’s not tiredness, it’s not a physical thing.

“What they are is human I suppose. I’ve never been in the business of looking for this or for that, or for who we have and who we haven’t.

“They were outhurled in the second half and now the challenge has been thrown down to us and we have to face it.”

Kilkenny and Dublin will meet again on Saturday at O'Moore Park, with the replay set for a 7pm throw in.